Why a Larger Anchor Chain Isn’t Always the Better Choice

When it comes to anchoring, it’s easy to think “bigger means stronger.” But when it comes to anchor chains for boats, that’s not always true. Choosing a chain that’s too large can actually create more problems than it solves.

The key to dependable anchoring isn’t just size — it’s finding the right balance between strength, weight, and equipment compatibility. That’s exactly what we focus on at ShakeSure. Here’s why the biggest chain isn’t necessarily the best one for your boat.

1. Oversized Chains Add Unnecessary Weight

While a heavier chain might sound more secure, that extra weight adds strain to your windlass, bow fittings, and anchoring hardware. It makes handling harder, especially during retrieval, and affects how your boat sits in the water.

Too much forward weight can throw off your boat’s balance and trim, making it less efficient and harder to handle in waves. Over time, the added stress can also wear down your windlass and gypsy components, leading to costly maintenance.

At ShakeSure, we help boat owners select chains that are strong enough for their hull size and anchor setup, without adding unnecessary bulk or stress.

2. Chain Strength Depends on Grade, Not Just Size

When it comes to strength, chain grade matters far more than diameter. High-grade chains like Grade 40 (G40) or Grade 70 (G70) deliver significantly greater tensile and breaking strength than standard Grade 30 (G30) chains.

This means a smaller, higher-grade chain can match—or even outperform—a larger, lower-grade one. Choosing based on grade rather than size gives you the right strength while keeping your system lighter and easier to manage.

Every ShakeSure anchor chain is proof-tested, certified, and rated for its Working Load Limit (WLL) and Minimum Breaking Load (MBL). So you always know exactly how much strength your chain provides—without guesswork.

3. Proper Size Ensures Anchor and Windlass Compatibility

Your anchor, chain, and windlass need to work as a team. Most windlasses are built to match specific chain calibrations, such as DIN 766 or ISO 4565 standards. Using a chain that’s too large can cause jams, slipping, or incomplete retrieval, which compromises safety and can damage the windlass.

Similarly, if the chain doesn’t match the anchor shackle or end link size, it can create uneven load distribution or reduce holding power.

That’s why ShakeSure provides calibrated and windlass-compatible anchor chains, ensuring a perfect fit for your windlass setup. Our chains are precision-engineered for popular systems used on recreational and workboats, making anchoring smoother and safer.

Conclusion

When it comes to anchor chains, bigger isn’t better — balance is. The right chain size is the one that matches your boat’s design, chain grade, and windlass calibration, giving you secure performance without unnecessary strain.

At ShakeSure, we make it easy to choose the perfect chain for your setup. Our hot-dip galvanized and stainless steel anchor chains are calibrated, proof-tested, and certified for safe, long-lasting use.

Unsure? Test with a Sample

If your measurements fall between two possible standards, we’ll recommend sending you a 1-meter sample chain based on our analysis. You can loop it on your gypsy (chain wheel) to check for a smooth fit before placing a full order.

And if you’re still unsure about the calibration standard of your current anchor chain, the ShakeSure team is ready to help. Just send us your measurements or photos, and we’ll identify the most suitable option — quickly and accurately.

ShakeSure — engineered for balance, built for strength.